Development expected to bring new residents, business

WHITE PLAINS - A $275 million development that officials say will attract new residents to the city and reinvigorate its end of the business district was unanimously approved this week by the Common Council.

"This project brings the promise of an enlivened Post Road/South Broadway/Maple Avenue area with more people on the street shopping, dining and enjoying the many benefits White Plains has to offer," Mayor Tom Roach said.

The project will replace the vacant Westchester Pavilion mall.

Architectural renderings of a mixed-use complex approved for the site of the former Westchester Pavilion in downtown White Plains.(Photo: Submitted)

Plans by Maple and Broadway LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lennar Corp, call for demolition of the 185,000-square-foot mall to make way for two 24-story residential towers with 707 rental apartments — including 43 classified as affordable — which are expected to attract about 1,400 new residents.

The mixed-use development will feature 16,500 square feet of restaurant space with six outdoor dining areas along South Broadway and Maple Avenue, along with 77,340 square feet of retail and 93,840 square feet of commercial space. There will be underground parking for 1,037 cars.

"It will breathe new life into this end of East Post Road," said Kevin Nunn, executive director of the White Plains Business Improvement District.

Nunn said the project will serve as an economic anchor for the area, generate retail and restaurant business, and draw millennials into the city, which he said is "essential for attracting and keeping employers in our area."

Architectural renderings of a mixed-use complex approved for the site of the former Westchester Pavilion in downtown White Plains.(Photo: Submitted)

The developers will pay $2.3 million to the city to be used exclusively for enhancement of parks and playgrounds or to create new recreation facilities. This is the first time White Plains has ever assessed a "recreation and parks impact fee."

Roach said landscaping, ground floor dining and shopping, and sidewalk improvements along Maple Avenue will make the area more pedestrian friendly and help create "a truly livable, walkable downtown urban environment" that is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan.

Plans call for 30,000 square feet of public open space, highlighted by a 7,200-square-foot plaza on South Broadway and smaller plazas with benches and landscaping along Maple and Hale avenues. The apartment towers will feature rooftop pools and gardens, pet areas and other amenities.

Council member Beth Smayda said the project will help connect Bloomingdale Road and Hale Avenues to Post Road for pedestrians.

Council member Milagros Lecuona said it "has so many good initiatives that it's going to be kind of a role model for other projects."

Nadine Hunt-Robinson, another council member, said she was pleased with assurances from the developers "that they were excited about looking for opportunities to include women and minority businesses in the construction" of the project.

It was not clear when work will begin, or when it's expected to be completed. William Null, the lawyer for the developer, could not be reached for comment.

The property originally housed an Alexander's department store, which opened in 1951 and was the first large store in Westchester to remain open during evening hours. Alexander's closed in 1988 and was replaced by the Westchester Pavilion, which opened in December 1993.

The mall at various times was home to Borders Books & Music, Sports Authority, Toys R Us, Office Max and others, but never really took off and stood mostly empty in recent years.